Sermons on Raise The Bar:

Soon It Will Be Christmas Day...again Series

Contributed by Matthew Rogers on Jan 2, 2002

The people who first heard the prophecies concerning the Messiah only saw him in black and white. We can see Him in color.

Soon It Will Be Christmas Day – Part 3 December 23, 2001 INTRODUCTION In Pleasantville, USA, there has never been any rain. There has never been hatred, aggression or tears. In Pleasantville, USA, there has never been a passionate kiss. There has never been a flat tire, a red rose or a work of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Inside Secrets Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Nov 12, 2001

The "inside secret" about our witness and His wisdom.

November 11, 2001 Paul talked about inside secrets; he called it the wisdom of God in a mystery. There are all kinds of mysteries. In the western world, when you say mystery you¡¦re talking about a who-done-it, or a puzzle to solve. Solved puzzles can have surprise endings, or open up even ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

The Cross Anticipated

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Nov 22, 2001

The Cross of Jesus is anticipated in the story of Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac, telling of The Father’s Sacrifice, The Son’s Submission and the Lord’s Substitute.

THE CROSS ANTICIPATED If I had to give this message a title it would be "The Cross Anticipated in Abraham’s Sacrifice of Isaac" (Genesis 22:1-19. The story has three characters - there’s the Father: Abraham; there’s the Son: Isaac and there’s the Voice from heaven. The story revolves around three ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Sifting Through The Rubble: The Bible Speaks To The Attack On America Series

Contributed by Michael Milton on Sep 17, 2001

A Bible message on the tragedy of September 11, 2001. With introductory thoughts on the Tenth Anniversary of 9/11.

This morning the September air in Charlotte, North Carolina reminds me of the air that day. As I breath it in, I join in the memory. But I join also in the hope of not only a rebuilding of the Freedom Tower, but a rebuilding of the American spirit that stirred out nation to prayer during those days ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-4

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Talk Yourself Through The Sorrow With Tomorrow

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Mar 8, 2002

how the Sons of Korah teach us how to deal with sorrow

March 10, 2002 Psalm 42-43 For the director of music. A maskil of the Sons of Korah. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while men say ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Seize The Day

Contributed by Wes Humble on Jan 20, 2003

God has a plan He wants us to follow.

Seize the Day Ephesians 5:15-17 In March of 2000, the small town of Fruita, Colorado, received a unique new sculpture on a downtown corner. Lyle Nichols unveiled his four-foot masterpiece of Mike the headless chicken. It’s a reminder of what happened in Fruita sixty years earlier. Lloyd Olsen, a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-17

Denomination: *other

On The Dotted Line Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Jan 27, 2003

Even though vows are seldom kept, there are a few vows every follower of Jesus Christ ought to make and strive to keep.

January 26, 2003 1Now on the sealed document were the names of: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah, 2Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah, 3Pashhur, Amariah, Malchijah, 4Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch, 5Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah, 6Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch, 7Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin, ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 10:1-39

Denomination: United Methodist

Getting Serious With God

Contributed by Rick Kallstrom on Jan 28, 2003

America is in the midst of a spiritual famine today, and, unless our country turns back to God soon, and experiences a great spiritual revival in our nation, it is just a matter of time before God pours out His anger and wrath on our nation.

The year before last, in an effort to earn some extra Christmas money, I worked a temporary job at the airport in Knoxville, Tennessee over the Christmas holidays. It was a manual labor job where several us would unload tractor-trailers full of Christmas mail. We’d take it off the 18-wheeler, ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 14:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Want It And I Want It Now

Contributed by Thomas Baird on Jan 29, 2003

are we like Naaman today... do we just want an instant GOD?

I want it, and I want it now…. Opening Statement…. I want it, and I want it now….. have you ever heard any one make that comment, or at least a comment like that? I know if you will listen to kids play…or fight you might say.. you may hear them screaming “I want it I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Proverbial Wisdom

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on May 15, 2004

Proverbial wisdom. 1- Kindness 2- Generosity 3- Anxiety

INTRO.- ILL.- Automaker Henry Ford asked electrical genius Charlie Steinmetz to build the generators for his factory. One day the generators ground to a halt, and the repairmen couldn’t find the problem. So Ford called Steinmetz, who tinkered with the machines for a few hours and then threw the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 11:16-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Living With Loneliness…even In A Crowd

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Jan 12, 2003

Few emotions are more painful than the emotion of loneliness. Deep loneliness is often experienced right after the holidays. The gifts have been opened. The parties have been given. All of the friends and family have returned home and the cookies have bee

SERMONIC / WORSHIP THEME Opening Statement: Few emotions are more painful than the emotion of loneliness. Deep loneliness is often experienced right after the holidays. The gifts have been opened. The parties have been given. All of the friends and family have returned home and the cookies have ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:9-23

How Now Shall We Live? Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Apr 5, 2004

Since Jesus died for our sins, what should be our response? Here are three: restoring our relationships, forsaking our sin, and carrying our cross.

Who really killed Jesus? What crime did Jesus commit? Just how badly did Jesus suffer? Why did Jesus die? Couldn’t there have been another way? How now shall we live? Good Friday: What did He say and when did He say it? How now shall we live? Series: The Passion of the Christ: True or false? Text: ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23, John 11:51-52

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Crushes And Cures Your Quest For Cleanliness

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Sep 18, 2003

by not washing his hands Jesus teaches a lesson in righteousness

September 21, 2003 Mark 7:1-8; 14-15; 21-23 The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were "unclean," that is, unwashed. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Lutheran

How Long Will It Be Before You Question Plagues In Your Life Series

Contributed by Bruce Landry on Sep 21, 2002

Just as Pharaoh and the Nation of Egypt sought to reduce or stop the plagues with compromises to God’s perfect plan, so do many in our churches today. Let us walk with Moses and Aaron and take to heart the lessons presented today.

How Long will it be before You question Plagues in Your life Locusts and questions Darkness for compromise DBF/Exodus 10/Sept 22, 2002 Do you ever question why certain things happen in this world, in communities and villages around you? With the various things of darkness surrounding us, I ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 10:1-29

Denomination: Baptist

Why Was Jesus Jewish? Series

Contributed by David Owens on Sep 24, 2007

To really be able to understand and immitate Jesus we have to understand His Jewishness and the Jewish time and culture into which He was born.

Introduction: A. As you know, most religious groups have identifying characteristics. 1. A kindergarten teacher gave her class a "show and tell" assignment of bringing something to represent their religion. 2. The first boy got in front of the class and said, "My name is Benjamin and I am Jewish ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ